ROCK – naturally occurring solid mixture composed of minerals, smaller rock fragments, organic matter, or glass
MAGMA – melted rock below Earth’s surface (called “LAVA” above earth’s surface)
IGNEOUS ROCK – formed when magma/lava cools and crystalizes
SEDIMENT – small fragments of various types of rock that are broken away through weathering and erosion
Physical Weathering: a change affecting the structure of a rock, but not its composition, for example breaking, rubbing away, or forming cracks in rocks (wind & water/ice)
Chemical Weathering: alters the chemical composition of the rocks, for example disintegrating them or weakening their structure due to chemical changes
Erosion: surface processes (wind/water) that remove rock, soil, or dissolved material from one location and transport it to another
Deposition: sediments, soil, and rock are deposited in a new location to build up a landform or land mass
SEDIMENTARY ROCK – forms from layers of sediment that are compacted and cemented together
METAMORPHIC ROCK – forms deep within Earth when other types of rock are transformed due to intense heat and pressure
Weathering and Erosion
How the Grand Canyon was Formed